Amendments to Motions on Progress of Bills / Third Reading

Recommittal; beyond scope of bill

Journals p. 1168

Debates p. 11429

Background

During debate on the motion for third reading of Bill C-251, an Act to amend the Old Age Security Act, Mr. Allard (Sherbrooke) proposed that the bill be not now read a third time, but be referred to Committee of the Whole for reconsideration of the tax compensation system for any province wishing to set up its own old age security plan. Having reservations about the proposed amendment, the Speaker invited the Members to express their views before he ruled.

Issue

Is an amendment recommending that a committee reconsider another tax compensation system acceptable at third reading?

Decision

No. The amendment is out of order.

Reasons given by the Speaker

The scope of the amendments allowed at third reading is more limited than at second reading; in this case, the proposed amendment is beyond the scope of the bill and is not actually included in the principle of the bill.

Sources cited

Beauchesne, 4th ed., p. 288, c. 418.

May, 17th ed., p. 571.

References

Debates, December 20, 1966, pp. 11428-9.